Watching classic movies is a favorite pastime of mine. I’ve been a fan since I was a young girl, when I quickly embraced the magic of the old, classic films – the storylines, the talent, the vintage fashion, and even the decor (no surprise there!). There’s something so special about these old movies. Bonus: I’ve never had to worry about seeing some of the inappropriate (sometimes over-the-top) content you see in movies today. Perfect when you want to unplug and de-stress. And that’s a win in my book.
Here’s a handful that I’ve watched recently and my take on each.
- Desk Set. Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) heads up the research department at a major TV network. Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy) is assigned to the network to introduce computers into the department and observe its activities, but the reason for his observation is kept secret, which only leads to speculation, causing the staff to believe they’re being replaced. There’s a bit of a spark between Watson and Sumner, too (though Watson has a boyfriend)… and it only creates more tension around the office. I loved this movie, and Hepburn and Tracy’s on-screen chemistry is perfection.
- Send Me No Flowers. A classic Doris Day and Rock Hudson comedy. George (Hudson) is a hypochondriac who believes he is dying after overhearing his doctor discuss the imminent death of a patient and believes the doctor is referring to him. He then sets out to find his wife, Judy (Day), a new husband with the help of his neighbor and friend, Arnold (Tony Randall). Judy becomes suspicious of his sudden, strange behavior and comes to her own conclusions about what’s going on. This is a light-hearted romantic comedy that’s perfect for a relaxing night at home. Also, I loved George and Judy’s house in this film.
- My Fair Lady. Phonetics professor, Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison), bets he can refine a flower girl (Audrey Hepburn) and pass her off as a lady to high society. My first time seeing this classic, and it was just as good as I had heard. Rex Harrison’s character had me cracking up! A longer film (I split it up between two nights) but worth watching.
- The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. A different type of classic for me but so good and comical at times. Widow Lucy Muir moves into a house on the English seacoast that once belonged to a sea captain. She’s warned by the realtor that the house may be haunted but decides to move in anyway with her young daughter. The house is haunted by the spirit of the previous owner – the profane but attractive sea captain, Daniel Gregg, played by Rex Harrison. Lucy isn’t sacred off by him, though, and he takes a liking to her, and the two become friends. Something more develops, too. But you’ll have to watch to find out.
- Beach Party. Described as a “surfside slapstick” comedy, this is just a silly teen beach movie from start to finish. Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello are the subject of study for an anthropologist doing research on adolescent mating rituals. (Silly, right?) So so so goofy and ridiculous.
Happy Wednesday! And if you check out of any of these classics, you’ll have to let me know what you think!
